Reddit username checker and rules
A business on Reddit uses an ordinary account, u/yourname, that can never be renamed. Our check finds names in use; Reddit doesn't confirm available ones to outside checks, so confirm yours at sign-up. How our checks work
What can a Reddit username contain?
Letters, numbers, hyphens and underscores, 3 to 20 characters. Reddit's help pages don't list these rules; our checker uses limits recorded from Reddit's sign-up page, which we couldn't re-read.
| Character | Allowed? | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Letters a to z | Yes | Capitals don't make a new name |
| Numbers 0 to 9 | Yes | Anywhere |
| Hyphen (-) | Yes | Anywhere |
| Underscore (_) | Yes | Anywhere |
| Spaces, periods, other symbols | No |
Sources [9, reported]
How do you sign up for Reddit?
On reddit.com or in the Reddit app, with an email address, a Google or Apple account, or a phone number in some countries.
- Check the name above, with the .com and X.
- On reddit.com, choose Log In, then Sign up. The app asks you to sign up when it opens.
- Verify your email with the 6-digit code, or your phone with the texted code.
- Choose a username, or cycle through Reddit's suggestions.
- For a business, sign up for Reddit Pro at redditforpros.com with a verified email, your business name, website and category.[2, 6]
What should you know before you pick a Reddit username?
Your username is permanent: once it's set, it can't be changed in any way, even its capitalization.
| Fact | What it means |
|---|---|
| Deleted accounts | Their usernames never become available again, to you or anyone else |
| Inactive accounts | You can't claim their usernames; Reddit doesn't reuse names |
| Impersonation | A username almost identical to another account's, used to confuse people, breaks Reddit's rules |
| Trademarks | A username that matches a trademark is fine when it has nothing to do with the owner's goods |
| Verification | Businesses on Reddit Pro can apply for a free grey checkmark |
What can go wrong with a Reddit username, and how do you fix it?
A taken username stays taken, so pick a close version.
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| The username is taken | Use a close version; the checker finds one available on your other platforms too (what to do when your handle is taken) |
| You chose the wrong username | Create a new account; Reddit lets you keep both |
| An account poses as your business | Use the report button on its content, or file a report without an account |
| An account uses your trademark to sell similar goods | Report it through Reddit's trademark form as the owner |
Which platforms should you claim with Reddit?
X, Discord, YouTube and the .com. See every social media platform we check, then read Growing Reddit.
Checks Reddit, X, Discord invite, YouTube and the .com in one search.
Sources (9)
- PrimaryReddit Help: Can I change my username? (archived copy)
- PrimaryReddit Help: How do I sign up for a Reddit account? (archived copy)
- PrimaryReddit User Agreement (archived copy)
- PrimaryReddit Help: Someone who hasn't posted in a long time has the username I want, can I have it? (archived copy)
- PrimaryReddit Help: Impersonation (archived copy)
- PrimaryReddit Help: Sign up for Reddit Pro (archived copy)
- PrimaryReddit Help: Trademark overview (archived copy)
- PrimaryReddit Help: Verified profiles on Reddit (archived copy)
- PrimaryZero To 1000's platform catalog: Reddit's username rules, cost and set-up time